This is a cute typical "Hallmark" type story. Saving the hotel...romance develops between 2 characters who don't agree on much. I did enjoy the characters and it was a light happy read poolside, for me this Summer.

What a cosy, autumnal read this book is!

My first by this author but I will definitely be reading more of her backlist.
The characters are just lovely. I'm so happy that this is a series and can't wait to read book two.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this lovely read.

i always dream i get to find a place that feels so like home. i loved reading about lily finding her home and her family in maple tree lodge. this was honestly so romantic and i love the overall vibes.

thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review

I adored this book! This is my first read by Alison Sherlock but it was not my last. I have already picked up 2 more of her books. This book gave perfect cozy romance vibes!

I really enjoyed this story!

It’s the start of a new series but set very close to where The Railway Lane series is set, so we get to reconnect with some of the characters from those books.

The Maple Tree Lodge sounds just lovely and I would love to stay there, especially with that group of people. It’s a gentle and heartwarming read.

Thanks to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, and the author for the chance to read this book.

I am a sucker for the way Alison Sherlock writes these stories set in the English countryside with a group of friends as the focus. I liked that this book features some characters and scenery from the previous series she wrote. I can't wait to see what's in store for the other friends in the next books.

In Alison Sherlock’s new cozy romance series, readers discover the Maple Tree Lodge Hotel, owned by the Jackson family for over a century. Architect Ben Jackson has to save the hotel from financial ruin and make tough decisions in the aftermath of his father’s death, so Ben’s sister gets her best friend, interior designer Lily Watson, to help out and prove her talents to herself and her parents. However, Lily and Ben have different plans for Maple Tree Lodge Hotel, so they have to overcome their differences and stay under budget while discovering life lessons that only they can teach each other. Whimsical, charming, and entertaining, readers will love the chemistry between Lily and Ben, and the backdrop of the novel is absolutely beautiful and detailed. As far as first novels in a series go, this is a great start because the location is so detailed, and the characters -- major and minor -- are both absolutely fantastic. Readers will enjoy Alison Sherlock’s attention to detail in both the settings and the characters, and the atmosphere is absolutely fantastic and immerses readers in the story. Brilliantly written and entertaining, readers looking for a cozy romance series will really enjoy this enjoyable book.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Alison Sherlock has become an auto-read author for me. I have enjoyed every book of hers that I have ever read and this one was no exception!

I would like to thank the author and NetGalley for the free arc.
Alison Sherlock's "Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge" is a wonderfully comforting and uplifting novel that delivers all the warmth and charm fans of contemporary romance and village life stories could wish for. It's a perfect read for those seeking a gentle escape into a world of new beginnings and heartfelt connections.

The story typically revolves around a character returning to or discovering a quaint, close-knit community, often centered around a charming location like the titular Maple Tree Lodge. Sherlock excels at creating relatable characters and crafting narratives filled with genuine emotion, quiet humor, and the promise of a happy ending. The prose is accessible and flows beautifully, making it an ideal book to curl up with.

Themes of family, friendship, healing, and finding love in unexpected places are central to the book's appeal. "Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge" is a delightful reminder of the power of community and the joy of finding your true home. If you're in the mood for a sweet, feel-good story that leaves you with a warm glow, this book is an excellent choice.

A great start to a new series. Nice to see some familiar characters from other series making an appearance. Looking forward to the next installment.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5 /5

This book totally captured my heart with its cosy autumnal vibes. It begins with grieving architect Ben clashing with spirited interior designer Lily as they work together to save his family's crumbling Cotswolds hotel, and soon, sparks fly between them. The author skilfully weaves the story through the charming countryside of the Cotswolds, transporting readers to its picturesque settings.

The characters are well developed and leave a lasting impression, and the slow-burn romance between the two leads is absolutely lovely. The side characters add joy and warmth to the story while highlighting the importance of strong family bonds. What I love most about this author is her ability to bring back characters from previous books without hindering the experience for new readers.

This book is perfect for fans of cosy small-town romances, emotional makeovers, and heartwarming stories about love, family, and fresh starts.

Oh my goodness, this book was an absolute delight from beginning to end! The new characters are so fresh and exciting, and there are even a few familiar faces and settings. It’s like a warm hug in book form. I couldn’t put it down and I’m already looking forward to the next one.

Thank you Netgalley

Welcome to the lovely Maple Tree Lodge! It is a charming setting and delightful tale told from dual points of view by two protagonists Lily and Ben. If you love slow-burn romance with a dash of found family, you’re going to want to grab this one!

Meet Lily, an interior designer who’s hit a rough patch. After losing her job, she finds herself misrepresenting her services, all while wrestling with deep-seated trust issues that stem from a less-than-stellar relationship with her parents. There’s a scene that really tugged at my heartstrings, where she reflects on how much she needed this job, this lodge, and this family—perhaps even more than they needed her. But let’s be honest, who could resist that dollhouse of hers? It served as her inspiration, a dreamy little escape that led her to the world of design. And the gift Ben and Walter made her had me tearing up.

Add in Ben, the architect who’s burning the candle at both ends to save his family home and business. He’s caught in a tug-of-war with his grandfather Walter, who seems hellbent on holding onto the past. Ben is carrying the weight of not just the lodge but the entire family’s happiness on his shoulders, and he’s feeling the pressure. Enter Lily, who becomes the unexpected catalyst for change. Watching their dynamic unfold, I couldn’t help but root for Ben as he fought for Lily’s trust and, ultimately, her heart.

My heart swelled as I watched Lily grow and change. It was beautiful to see her learn to trust the Jackson family and, more importantly, to let Ben into her life. Their story is enchanting, and you can feel the love radiating from them. I love their subtle and soul-searching looks as they fall so beautifully.

The backdrop of this story, the Maple Tree Lodge, is incredibly special. It’s all about family and relaxation. And as Ben’s family navigates their grief over losing their father, Lily’s fresh ideas encourage them to come together as a family project, bringing emotional warmth to a once strained environment. You’ll find yourself cheering for Lily, Ben, and the Jacksons as they face challenges and celebrate their successes.

So, if you’re on the hunt for a beautiful and cozy story that blends romance with themes of family and personal growth, I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

Thank you to Ms. Sherlock for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

This book is pure cosy comfort. Think crackling fires, quaint villages, hot chocolate in cute mugs, and a swoony romance that warms your heart like a fluffy blanket. ☕🍂

Perfect for cuddling up with on a rainy day, especially if you’re a sucker for small towns, second chances, and happy endings. 💖🏘️

Having enjoyed previous titles from this author, once again her writing style has produced another beautiful heartwarming, uplifting tale of how friends and the community resurrect and save the beautiful Maple Tree Lodge.

Lovely cozy read as summer ends and the nights draw in. This is a fantastic romance between an interior designer hired to renovate a failing hotel and the owner. On top of this there is a great family community feel and hits of possible romances for other books in the series. Loved it.

A heartwarming, cozy, slowburn romance set in a darling family-run hotel in a small town in England.

Lily, our FMC, and Ben, our MMC, find themselves meeting at Ben's family's hotel that has seen better days. Lily has been asked by one of her best friends, Ben's sister, to help with a remodel of their hotel, which is perfect timing as she's just been fired from her interior design firm. However Ben has been holding onto a secret about the hotel, they're not only empty ... they're in the red and are at risk of losing the hotel.

I enjoyed the romance - this is not a hot and heavy steamy or spicy book. There is a light romance, a bit of angst, and we're left wondering "Will they? Won't they?" until the very end. I also really liked the imagery throughout. Food, atmosphere, the renovations, I would love to be in the Snug and order one of Frankie's cocktails!

*~ Most Wholesome Read Of The Summer ~*

Lily + Ben 4everrr. So adorable. I read this book during a week where life was chaos and I needed some cozy comfort in my hands and this book did just that. I loved the layers of the story. We definitely had the romance and though it was closed door, you could feel it between Lily and Ben, but we also had the layers of navigating through family relationships, friendships, overcoming difficult childhoods, career turmoil... the list keeps going. Throwing in the building relationships between Lily's friends and Ben's friends and it was the cherry on the top. I can't wait to read what's in store for this group as the series continues.

Thank you to Net Galley, Boldwood Books, and Alison Sherlock for an eARC of this story.

The latest in Alison Sherlock’s Cotswold tales, this introduces us to Maple Tree Lodge, a family hotel that is in severe financial trouble. Since the death of Ben’s father, architect Ben has returned to the family home/hotel with a view to modernising it to capture the corporate seminar market.

Ben’s sister Hannah invites her close friend, interior designer Lily to come to the hotel to give Ben the benefit of her professional opinion. Lily jumps at the chance because, unbeknownst to Hannah, Lily has been made redundant by an unscrupulous boss, who stole her ideas and got rid of her before she could complain about his tactics.

This is a lovely, gentle, sweet, but witty story about the Jackson family, their history at Maple Tree Lodge and their efforts to revive the fortunes of the hotel.

A mixture of interiors, friendship, romance and grief management, this is a really enjoyable tale. It’s also nice to hear about some of our friends from Alison’s other series too - here’s hoping we get a couple more books to sit alongside this one - we can already see two more stories developing!

A lovely way to spend a few hours in the sunshine.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

I've read a lot of Alison Sherlock books set around this area - all different series, but it was nice to see some familiar characters popping up in this book. Perfect summer read. Hoping this is the start of a new series though.